Ephesians for Children - chapters 5-6

Ephesians chapters 5 and 6

Welcome, I have written this for children, based solely on the Word of God, but condensed for them... and used Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary for clarification of some words. My added comments are in italics, and there is a Memory Verse for each chapter. This is a very difficult book, but I pray it will be a blessing to them...

Chapter 5 (I have left out the commands to husbands and wives)

Be followers of God, as dear children and walk in love, as Christ has loved us, and has given himself for us (as) an offering and a sacrifice to God.

Do not let any man deceive you with vain words (make you think something which isn't true to the Word of God) because the anger of God will come upon them. Walk as children of light (the light is Jesus).

For the fruit of the Spirit is goodness, righteousness and truth, proving what is acceptable to the Lord. Do not have any fellowship (do not be friends) with those that are in darkness (those that do things which are evil) but rather tell them their faults. All these things that they do will be made known by the light (Christ is the light, and the gospel convicts men of their sin) Do not walk as a foolish person, but as a wise person, because the days are evil. Therefore be wise and understand what the will of the Lord is.

Be filled with the Spirit, and speak to yourselves in hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Memory Verse: Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ"

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Chapter 6 (I have left out the commands to fathers, servants, and masters)

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.. honour (respect) your father and mother.

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. For we do not fight against other men, but we fight spiritual battles, against the rulers of the darkness of this world (the devil and his demons, who we cannot see, but who are there) Put on the whole armour of God, so that you will be able to stand against the tricks and deceptions of the devil.

Just like the roman soldiers wore full armor when they went into battle, the Christian is also to wear "spiritual" armor so that when the battles come (the tricks and deceptions of the devil) the Christian will still be standing, after he has resisted the attacks.

This is the armor that Ephesians 6:14 - 17 tells us about:

V14 a) Stand wearing the belt of truth around your body. (we must believe the truth of the bible, and test everything by the truths that are in the bible)

V14 b) Have on the breastplate of righteousness. (that means that every believer wears God's righteousness but he must be righteous in his daily life too. Righteous means holy in his heart, living your life in the way the bible teaches. A life that is lived daily for God cannot be harmed by the tricks of the devil.}

V15 For your shoes, wear the gospel of peace. (that means that you are willing to speak to others about God'f free gift of salvation through faith in the shed precious blood of Christ for our sins, his death on the cross, and his resurrection from the tomb by which we who believe have hope of eternal life.)

V16 Above all, take the shield of faith, so that when the devil shoots arrows at you, your shield will protect you. (that means that when you are tempted to do things you shouldn't do, when bad things happen to you, when you have doubts come to your mind, you will be able to say in your heart "I believe God, and I believe the bible and you will have the victory over these things of the devil because you have confidence in the Lord)

V17 Take the helmet of salvation (knowing that you are saved by faith) and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (the Lord Jesus quoted scripture when the devil tempted him, and so should we.. when temptations come our way, knowing bible verses for that temptation is our best defense.)

Pray always, (led) by the Spirit within us, (pray all the time, for every reason that comes to your heart)

Paul closes his letter to the Ephesians by saying "peace to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ sincerely. Amen.

V.Gross/Apr'04 (note: William MacDonald's book 'Ephesians - The Mystery of the Church' was used for reference for the section on the Armor of God.)